The first impression you make with a potential client will occur in one of two touch places: Your profile or your proposal. And because you don’t know which might be viewed first, both should be crafted in a way that communicates to clients that you are the best choice for their project.
We asked the Upwork Facebook community for their best profile and proposal tips. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say.
“Showcase to the client why you are the best freelancer for the project. Upwork has lots of talented freelancers and [it’s easy to] imagine that it’s hard for a client to make the hiring decision. The key point is to focus on your particular strengths. For your profile, what makes you different from the crowd? Fill your portfolio with past works that match your potential client’s interests. For proposals, I enjoy writing cover letters really directed to the task in question. This way the client will feel that you care about the project description and so will pay more attention to your abilities. The client needs to be sure you will be able to deliver work with quality and commitment.”
— Luisa Schetinger
“Talk less about you and focus more on the value proposition you can offer to your client. Explain to the client why he should pick you instead of [just] showing related projects/work you’ve done.”
— João de Almeida
“The best way to win business is to customize everything to the client’s needs. Do your homework in advance of your first interaction. Rather than rambling on about how great you are, focus the conversation on understanding the client’s situation. Try to match up your skills to what is needed. Keep your proposal simple and to the point. Upwork clients don’t have time to read through a 20-page proposal. Rather, provide a clear and concise explanation of how you plan to take the client from point A to point B (in the most efficient manner possible).”
— Matt Keener
“Answer the additional questions asked by the client. Address the client’s expectations in cover letter. Include suggestions and [outline] your approach to the work. Mention your availability, time zones, or any other constraints you have. If the client has asked for specific skills that you have, then mention them. Ask questions about the project.”
— Shrinidhi Hasyagar
“I recently achieved a Rising Talent badge for my profile and I think the biggest thing that got me there was speedy, and consistent communication with my clients and potential clients. I never let a message sit unopened for longer than 12 hours. Huge payoff! When it comes to your profile, my biggest advice is to pack that sucker with media. Include a thumbnail for all media/docs/links that you attach, even if it means uploading a screenshot of a secondary resume or [if it takes] some HTML coding. You’ve already done the hard work, don’t let it go unnoticed because you neglected the value of attractive thumbnails!”
— Melanie Lech
“Take time to craft a profile that does you justice. Never rush it. Make sure that your spelling and grammar are flawless. A potential client who notices a spelling mistake or some incorrect grammar is going to immediately get the impression that you don’t care about the details. Proofread your profile or have someone else do it. Creating a good first impression is so important!”
— Arlene Copeland
“Know your strengths. Knowing what you’re good at will make it easy for you to sell what you offer. Be specific on what you can bring to the table and how your talents can be an advantage to your future clients.”
— Aiz Fajardo
“Always address the pain points of [clients], just like companies do for consumers. People want to know how you can improve their process and make life and business easier. They don’t care about copy-andpaste proposals that have nothing to do with their listing. Really take the time to review the project descriptions and tell them how you can help them, what you bring to the table, and the kind of experience they can expect if you’re hired.”
— Jeff Minnichbach
“Work your quirk. You are an individual, unique talent. Let that leave an impression among the hundreds of proposals you may be competing with.”
— Justin Hughes
“While success can’t be guaranteed, there are a few things that definitely help one to be successful on Upwork. A good profile picture is very important. If I were a client, I would like to see a professional-looking profile picture, with my prospective freelancers wearing casual but nice clothes, and showing their kindest-looking smile. A short and error-free introduction is also very important, especially for us non-native English speakers. Find the [first name] of your prospective client (you can usually find it among previous feedback) and include it in your proposal. Like ‘Hello Zoltan.’ Always be polite and kind to your clients, don’t rush anything, don’t push anything. Check the history of your prospective clients, it tells you a lot about them. On the other hand, your history is an amazing tool to build your reputation, which will almost certainly get you good jobs.”
— Zoltan Koves
For the full list of suggestions, check out the Facebook conversation and be sure to keep watching #TipTuesdays for more great Upwork ideas.
What are your best profile and proposal tips? Tell us in the comments!
Editor’s note: Responses edited for grammar, spelling, and clarity. The statements above are those of their authors and do not constitute the views or opinions of Upwork.
The post Profile and Proposal Tips from the Upwork Facebook Community appeared first on Upwork Blog.
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